Western Bulldogs have suffered a 52-point loss at the hands of Collingwood in their season-opener on Friday night.

The Bulldogs were forced to play catch-up after conceding the first four goals of the match.

It proved too great a deficit in the end, with the Magpies running away with a 13.8 (86) to 5.4 (34) win at Marvel Stadium.

06:37

Match Highlights | Western Bulldogs v Collingwood

Replay all the action from the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood's season opener at Marvel Stadium.

Mitch Wallis converted for the Dogs’ first goal of 2020 halfway through the opening term, but it took just under 30 minutes until Bailey Williams could add a second.

Ben Cavarra slotted his first goal from his first kick on debut, before Matt Suckling made it three in a row heading towards half-time.

00:51

Old dog has a grand start (Rd1)

Mature-age debutant Ben Cavarra slots a goal with his first kick in the AFL

Collingwood was quick to put a stop to this momentum, punishing the Bulldogs for some of their poor ball-use and decision-making.

The Bulldogs failed to register a major in the final term, finishing with just 22 inside-50s to the Magpies’ 42.

Jack Macrae (22 disposals, five marks), Bailey Smith (22 disposals, six tackles) and Caleb Daniel (20 disposals, three marks) fought hard around the contest, while Hayden Crozier impressed with 17 touches and seven tackles.  

The Western Bulldogs will look to rectify their mistakes when they return to Marvel Stadium to take on Carlton on Saturday, March 28.

02:27

Caleb Daniel | 'It wasn't good enough'

Caleb Daniel spoke with Bulldogs Media after the bulldogs round 1 loss to Collingwood

WESTERN BULLDOGS             1.0 4.0 5.2 5.4 (34)
COLLINGWOOD                      5.2 8.6 10.7 13.8 (86)                    

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Wallis, Williams, Cavarra, Suckling, Bruce
Collingwood: Mihocek 3, Cox 2, Daicos 2, Elliott, Hoskin-Elliott, Grundy, C. Brown, De Goey, Adams

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Smith, Keath, Suckling, Hunter
Collingwood: Grundy, Mihocek, Adams, Mayne, Pendlebury, Howe

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Macrae (face/eye)
Collingwood: Nil


Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Hosking, Whetton

AFL Round 1 | Western Bulldogs v Collingwood

The Western Bulldogs opened their season against Collingwood at Marvel Stadium, however the optimism of the new season was quickly dampened by the visitors who ran out comprehensive victors. Photos by Dylan Burns, Michael Willson, Quinn Rooney for AFL Photos.
21